Ok, so I'm hearing different things from everyone. Do I have to take the PSAT in sophomore year, or is it better to wait until junior year? Does it actually matter, or should I just focus on keeping my GPA up for now?
Hey there! I understand the PSAT can be a source of confusion. It's definitely not a must in your sophomore year, but many students find it valuable as practice for the actual SAT. It's essentially a no-risk practice test that can help you identify areas for improvement early on.
It's also important to note that taking it as a sophomore won’t count for National Merit Scholarship qualification, so if you're worried about that, you can rest easy, as only your junior year score will be considered.
However, if preparing for the PSAT would cause you stress or distract from your coursework, you might be better off prioritizing your grades for now. Also, remember that colleges won't see your PSAT scores, so whether or not you take the test this year is really about how you can benefit from the experience personally. Best of luck with your decision!
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